Medieval bastides, farmers' markets, great wines and Michelin tables: our corner of the Lot-et-Garonne is made to be savoured. Here is the selection we share with our guests — tried and tested.
Farmers' markets
- Thursday: Eymet — the essential rendezvous, 20-25 min from both houses
- Saturday: Marmande, Bergerac, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Casteljaloux
- Sunday: Issigeac (a gorgeous Roman-era village)
- Monday: Miramont-de-Guyenne & Duras
- July-August night markets: Tuesdays in Eymet, Thursdays in Duras and Issigeac — dine among the locals
Restaurants & treats
- Le Mistral — Seyches (€12-25), 5 min from Le Bouge
- La Cour d'Eymet — Michelin guide, Eymet
- The Walnut — Eymet (€20-50)
- La Tour des Vents — Monbazillac, 1 Michelin star, valley views
- Le Moulin d'Âne — Virazeil; Boat aux Saveurs — Marmande
- L'Aubaine bakery (Marmande) — TV-award-winning; try the tomato 'Marmandais'
Wine & châteaux
- Château de Monbazillac (30 min) — legendary sweet wines
- Château de Duras (25 min) — the Dukes' fortress + wine route
- Saint-Émilion (1 hr) — UNESCO village and grands crus
- Château de Bridoire — the children's château: period games, kayaking, escape game
Sport & outdoors
- Marmande & Barthe golf courses (9 holes), Château des Vigiers (27 holes, country club)
- Boat hire on the Canal de Garonne — Emeraude Navigation, Fourques-sur-Garonne
- Microlight flights over the valley — Fourques-sur-Garonne
- Cycling on the canal greenway, canoeing on the Dropt, Casteljaloux thermal baths
Day trips
- Eymet — the 'English' bastide and its café terraces
- Issigeac & Sainte-Foy-la-Grande — medieval lanes
- Bergerac — old town, Cyrano and river barges
- Bordeaux (1 hr 15) — the water mirror, Cité du Vin, shopping